Sheet-feeding mechanism.



W. C. GLASS.

. sum FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 18, 909. ,j 5,175 Patented Apr.13,1915.

A f a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. C. GLASS.

SHEET FEEDING MEQHAMW.

APPLICAUON man pct. I8, 3909.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. C. GLASS. SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM. APPHCATIION FILED OCT. is. 1909.

1,1 35, 175, Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. C. GLASS.

' SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM APPLICATION FILED OCT. I8. 1909 Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

.......m; I I

w. c. GLASS. SHEET FEEDENG MECHANISM.

APPLICATlON HLED OCT. 18, 1909. Hr

Patented Apr. i3, w.

' 8 SHEETS-S3331 5.

W. C. GLASSA SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION wmso OCT. 18, 1909.

Liam-175 Patented Apr.13,1915.

8 SEEETS-SEBET 6.

, ww m1.- 6 w:

W. C. GLASS.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18. 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

w G 626mg.

W. C. GLASS.

SHEET FEEDWG HECHAMSM. Awucmon FILED ocn'w. x909.

Patented- Apr. 13, 1915 8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

masma Was Invert/5, 07

" C. Glwaa;

2%, y wMMWA M UNETED %TA.TE% PAT EET WILLIAM GLASS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T UNITED FRINTING MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A GQ'BFOBATION OF MAINE.

SHEET-FEEDING MECHANISBI.

Specification of Letters Eaten-t.

Application filed October 18, 1909.

. To (172 whom. 6 may concern Be it known that I, lVImIAM C. GLASS, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sheet feeding mechanism adapted to be used in connection with a reciprocatorv press having a swing ing press member. It is customary to provide for a press of this type a feed table from which the sheets may be fed, one by one, to the press couple. The press illustrated herewith has an up i ht chase, a swinging platen and a feed tale, arranged above the chase.

The object of the invention is to provide means for automatically transferring the sheets, oneby one, from the feed table to the press and for removing the sheets from the press and for releasing them after removal from the press whereby they may drop into a receiving rack.

It is immaterial so far as the present invention is concerned whether the press is designed for printing or for cutting, but for the purpose of explanation, a press is herewith illustrated which is adapted to cut and score sheets of relatively thick paper or cardboard from which folding boxes are made.

Of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which the invention ma be embodied,Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a reciprocatorv press, a feed table, a receiving rack and means for transferring the sheets from the feed table to the press and then to the receiving rack. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the transferring mechanism. Fig. 3 represents a section on line 33 of Fig. 2-. Fig. 4 rep resents a section on line -l of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a section on line 5-5 0t Fig. 2. Fig. 6 represents a transverse section of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents a section on line 7-7 of Fig.2. Fig. 8 represents a section on line 8s8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 represents a detail of the means for releasing the grippers. Fig. 9 represents a part of 5. id means detached. Fig. 10 represents a topplan view of the means for releasing the rippers. *ig. 11 represents a section on line l111 of Fig. 1.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Serial in. 523,235.

. Fig. 12- represents a side elevation of an adjustable connection at the other side of the machine, similar to that shown by Fig. 11. Fig. 1'3 represents a detail in section of a part of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 represents a side elevation of the feed table and actuating means therefor.- Fig. 15 represents a vertical section of the means for actuating said table. Fig. 16 represents a front elevation of the feed table. Figs. 17 and 1S and 19 represent edge elevations of a pair of grippers and a sheet in dili'erent positions which it occupies when the grippers are in position to close upon the sheet. Fig. 20

represents a plan view of an adjustable stop.

Fig. 21 represents a modified form of gripper jaw.

The same reference characters'indicate the same parts wherever they occur.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a printing or cutting chase is indicated at and the platen therefor is indicated at 21. The chase and platen constitute stationary and swinging members of a press couple and for the purpose of the present invention it is immaterial whether the chase is stationary and the platen is movable or vice versa. A tired work support or table is indicated at 22 and the movable feed table is indicated at 23. The fixed table is intended to support a pile of sheets and the movable table is intended to receive the sheets, one by one, and hold them in pcsition'from which they are subsequently transferred to the press. The movable table is mounted upon a pair of arms 24: which are pivotally connected at 25 to the supports for the fixed table. The movable table is tl'ierefore adapted to rise and fall with relation to the fixed tflblu. A receiving rack is indicated at 26 and is pro vided with stationary arms 27 which receive the sheets and guide them to the receiving rack. The swinging press member 21 is mounted upon ,a carriage 28 and it supports and carries the automatic mechanism which is operated to first transfer the sheet from the feed table to the press and to then remove the sheet from the press to a point of discharge over the arms 27 where the sheet is released so that it may. drop into the receiving rack.

The means for so transferring the sheets comprises successive sets of grippers which revolve with/relation to the swinging presstion, tojcarry said sheet away from the feed :me'mbensaid grippersbeing so actuated as to take a sheet from the feed table when the two: press members are in cooperative posisheet transferring mechanism herewith illus-' trated comprises'three sets of gr1ppers,'

which become active in turn. Each gripper, after discharging a sheet, remains idle during the succeeding stroke of the swinging press member. The press herein illustrated is a well-known construction and requires no detailed description. It may be stated, however, that the carriage 28 receivesan oscillatory motion by which its angle is changed, and a rectilinear motion by which it is moved into engagement with the stationary press member. Motive power for the press is taken from a prime power shaft 29 which is provided with pinions 30 which drive gears 31 afiixed near opposite ends of a crank shaft The shaft 32 is provided with cranks 33 by which the swinging press menr her is recip'rocated through the medium of connecting rods 34. The limits of move ment of the swinging press-member are shown by Fig. 1 in which open position is shown by solid lines and closed position is shown by dotted lines.

The feed table-23 is moved each time a set of grippers arrives at gripping position for fixed table 22.

the purpose of placing the edge of the sheet in engagement with the grippers so that the sheet willnot be bent when the grippers close upon it. The means for effecting this movement of the feed table is shown by Figs. 14 and 15. A rock shaft 25 is mounted in bearings formed in the feedtable frame and is provided with cams 36 whichbear upon rolls 37. The rolisare mounted upon supporting rods 38 whose lower ends have screw-threaded connection with adjusting nuts 39. The nuts 39- are seated upon blocks 40 pivoted upon the supporting structure 41 of the One of the cams 36 is provided with a spur gear segment 42'which inter-meshes with a rack 43 at one'end of a slide 44. The slide is provided with a stud 45 which occupies a slot 46 formed in the head of a rod 47. The rod is mounted so as to slide in a hanger 48 which is pivoted upon the same axis as the arms 24 which support the feed table-.- The head of the rod 47 is also'pivotally, connected to the free end of an arm 49 which is pivotally'mounted at 50.

The arm 49 is connected by means of a link i 51 to a bell-crank arm 52 mounted upoh a pivot 53. The bell crank comprises two rigid arms 54 and 55 which are adapted to be engaged by a roll 56 carried by one of the gears 31 upon the crank shaft. The direc tion of rotation of the crank shaft is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 14, and the bellcrank arms 54 and are so related that first one and then the other is, engaged by the roll '56 and the bell crank is therefore rocked first in one direction and then the other.

The rocking of the bell crank is transmitted gages for a sheet and with guides forguid- 1 ing the edge of the sheet to the front gages.

.The gages and guides are movable and are 'adapted to be retracted from the plane of the sheet immediately prior to removal of the sheet by the grippers hereinafter described. The movement of the .gages and guides is effected by the rock shaft 35.

The supporting frame for the feed table is provided with bearings for a stationary transverse rod 57 and a parallel rock shaft 58. Upon the rod and the rock shaft are mounted two sliding carriages 59, each of which is provided with a stud 60 upon whielris pivotally mounted, a gageblock 61. The gageblocks are bifurcated and each em braces an arm 62 mounted u'pon'the rock shaft 58. The arms are splined or otherwise connected to the rock shaft so as to be rocked thereby and to be longitudinally movable thereon. The gage blocksare provided with sc'rew-threaded apertures which are occupied by the stems of front gages indicated at 63.

As shown by Fig. 16, each of the front gages is formed with a plurality of radial fingers either of which may be turned to operative position to be engaged by the.

front edge of a sheet. The gage blocks are also provided with spring followers 64 which abut against the gages and hold them against rotation. The gage blocks are pro vided withedge plates 65 which constitute continuations of the feed table for supporting the forward edge ofthe sheet in the rock shaft 58 is provided with a gear segment 67 which intermeshes With a gear segrecent 58 afiixed upon the rock shaft 35. When the rock shaft is oscillated to edect a drop of the feed table, the segment 68 imparts oscillation to the segment 67 and the reel; shaft 58 thereby swinging the guides 66 forwardly and downwardly out of the plane of the sheet. This movement of the guide arms 62 is transmitted to the gage blocks for the purpose of retracting the gages out of the path of the sheet.

As shown by Fig. 15, the arm 62 is formed with a cam slot,69, which is occupied by a stud 70 carried by an arm of the gage block. When the rock shaft 35 is turned in the opposits direction to elevate the table; the guide arms 62 are turned upwardly to the position shown and the front gages are restored to their operative positions; The carriages 59, together with the gages and guides and edge plates are adapted to'be ad3usted transversely of the feied table by sliding them upon the rod 57 and rock shaft 58.

in this way the gages and dguides may be set for sheets of various wi hs. The for- Ward end of the feed table is provided with a transverse groove 71, in which an adjustable side gage 72 is clamped.

in addition to the automatic rise and fall of the feed table, provision is made for securing a primary adjustment of the table. As shown by Fig. 15, the nuts 39 are 'provided with spiral teeth which inter-mesh with spiral gears 73 afiixed upon is shaftv 74. One end of the shaft 74 is provided with a handle 75 whereby it may be rotated to turn the nuts 39 and thereby raise or lower the supporting rods 38. When the height of the feed table is adjusted. its relation to the operating mechanism, shown by Fig. 14:, is not disturbedbecause the segmental slot &6 is adapted to permit said movement and at the same time preserve its operative connection with the slide l4.

Fig. 1 shows a weight 76 suspended by a chain 77 which passes over a roll 78 and is attached to the feed table for the purpose of counterhalancing to some extentthe Weight of the table.

Referring now to the gripper mechanism, Fig. 2 illustrates one form in which there are two pairs of grippers for carrying a sheet. The grippers are supported by rotary carriers and the carriers are in turn supported by rolling trucks which are'movable toward and from the platen and which are supported by side rods or bars 79, aliixed tothe platen. The structure of the carriage is shown by Fig. 3, in which a truck is indicatedat 80 and is provided with grooved rolls 81 which embrace opposite sides of the bar 79. There are two such trucks, one on each bar, and they are so connected as to be movable in unison and, considered collectively, they constitute the care'iage on .tvhich the gripper mechanism is mounted. 'Zhe swinging motion of. the platen toward and from the chase is employed for effecting reciprocatory motion of the gripper carriage toward and from the platen. F or this'purpose, each of the trucks S0 is pivotally con nected to a connecting rod 82, and the connecting rods are pivoted at 83 to adjustahle studs by which the range of movement of the carriage may he increased or decreased. The details of construction of the adj ustahle pivots are shown in Figs. l1, l2 and 13.

a The lower end of each connecting rod is provided with a yoke 84: which is adapted to slide upon a. swivel block 85. The block mounted upon a stud83. The stud. has threaded connection vvito an adjusting screw 86 which is rotatably mounted in a bracket 87. The stud 83 is surrounded by a block 88 which is adapted to slide in a curved guide 89 formed in the bracket 87. The curvature of the guide concentric with relation to the pivots on the trucks 80 when the trucks are in the position shown by l and 12. The studs 83 are, however. adapt ed to draw the gripper carriage toward the platen when the platen is drawn toward the chase and to move the carriage away from the platen when the platen isinoved away from the chase. ,The remote position of the carriage is invariable but b reason of adjusting the pivot studs 83, the range of movement of the carriage may be increased or decreased. The adjusting rods 86 are provided with spiral gears 30 which intermesh with spiral gears 91 fixed upon a transverse shaft 92. One end of the shaft is provided with a crank 93 by which the adjusting screws 86 may be manually turned in unison to adjust both pivots 83 simultaneously.

As shown in Fig. 13. the connection 7etween the connecting rod and the stud S3 is positive for the purpose of moving the carriage to its remote position but is yielding for providing lost motion for a purposehereinafter explained. In 13 a spring is indicated at 94: by which' he connection with the stud S8 is cushioned.

The two trucks of the gripper carriage are connected by a shaft This shaft Fl gs.

does not'revolve with relation to the trucks but is fixed thereto and is provided with two pairs of cams indicated at and 97.

There are twr spiders '98, loosely mounted llpflll the shai t. each spider being arranged between a cam 96 and a cam 97 as shown in G. The spiders are driven by gearing hereinafter described by which the are caused to revolve about the shaft 9'5. Each sp r is formed as shown by Fig. 5 and ises iree ca'uiallyispacedjaria each 6011' of which is a radial slot occupied by a sliding h pivot stud 1G1 fora lev The levers 162 are arranged and operate in pairs and platen is approaching the chase.

each pair is connected by a rigid rod 103 and a rock shaft 104. These levers are provided with cam rolls 106 which occupy driven is illustrated by 'Fig. 3 and is designed to effect rotation of the spiders when the platen is moved away from the chase but to leave the spiders stationary when the For this purpose each of the side' bars 79 is provided with a gear rack 108. 'A gear .109 mounted upon the truck 80 remains in intermeshed relation with the rack at all times. A pinion *110 is atiixed to the gear 109 and intermeshes with the gear 111 which is loosely mounted upon a bearing on a cam holder 96. The gear 111 carries a pawl 112 which is adapted to cooperate with a ratchet disk 113, having three equidistant notches114. The ratchet disk is afiixed to the hub or sleeve 115 of the adjacent spider 98. The

cam 96 is provided with a retaining. pawl.

116 which also cooperatesavith the notches 114. It is apparent that gearing of' this character is adapted to drive the ratchet 113 and consequently the spider intermittently in one direction and that the ratchet is held rigidly byits retaining pawl when the dr iving pawl is returning to engage the succeeding-notch. p i

The rods 103 and rock shafts 104 which are carried bodily about the central shaft 95 are provided with gripper jaws indicated respectively at 117 and 118. .There may be two or more pairs of gripper jaws mounted upon each rod and rock shaft, the gripper jaws 117 being stationary with relation to the rod and rock shaft and the gripper jaws 118 being splined upon the rock shaft and adapted to turn therewith. Springs 119 are provided for normally closing the grippers and the grippers are otherwise opened against the tension of the springs.

Each of the rock shafts 104 is provided with an arm 120, each arm having at its free end a roll 121 adapted to coiiperate with a stationary cam, 122 afiixed upon the central shaft 95. The cam has a pivoted section 123 mounted at 124, and provided with a segmental slot 125 which is occupied by a clamping stud 126 on the main body of the cam. The movable section is adapted to be placed at varieus positions for timing the opening of the grippers. he cam is provided with another movable section 127 which is for the purpose of effecting the release of the arms 120 and which thereby times the closing of the grippers. Thesecof the cam arms 120.

tion 127 is loosely mounted upon the central shaft 95 and is connected, to the spring 128 which normally holds it against a stop 129. This section of the cam may be affixed upon the shaft 95 and is adapted to be engaged by adjustable blocks 130 carried at the free ends I The ends of the blocks 130 are substantially square and the extremity of the section 127 terminates abruptly and it therefore follows that when the blocks 130 leave the extremity of the sec-, tion 127, as shown by Fig. 9, the release of the cam arms 120 is sudden and complete as distinguished from a rolling contact which would result if the rolls 121' were *utilized for the purpose of holdingthe gripcam section 127, whereupon the tension of. the arm 120is transferred to the block 130 and the section 127.

The section 127 is retracted against the tension of the spring 128 by means for timing the release of the arms 120. As'

shown by Figs. 9, 9 and 10, the hub of the section 127 is provided with a frusto-conical stud 131. The stud is adapted to be enaged by a head 132 formed upon one end 5f a feather 133 inserted in a longitudinal groove in thecentral shaft 95. The outer end of the feather (see Fig. 2) is provided with another head in which is a slot 134. The slot is occupied by a pin 135 carried by an arm 136.- The arm'is aflixed atone end of a rock-stud 137 mounted in a bearing 138 on the truck (see Fig. 12). The other endiof-the rock stud has a finger 139 which is fdr'med with a spherical head occupying a grooYe 140 in the head 141 of a rod 142. The-head 141 is formed with a slot 143 and it is adapted to slide upon the stud 144 by which the connecting rod 82 is connected to the truck 80. The rod 140*eXtends parallel to the connecting rod 82 and is connected at its lower end to an abutment such as the pivot 83 to which the rod 82 is also connected. The rod 82 is adapted to yield in one direction as previously explained but the rod 142 is not so adapted to yield.

VVhen the platen .carriage is moved to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the trucks 80 engage stops 147 and move the connecting, rods 82' slightly away from'the lower pivots 83v and the lower ends of the connecting rods therefore move longitudinally with relation to ;their pivots. The rod 142, however, is not adapted to move with relation the pivot-83 andthe carriage trucks "therefore move with relation to the upper-end of thcl rod 142. The relative movement tl us effected is transmitted to the rock stud l3? and iii-turn to the feather 133 whiclfi s drawn O1it\ial(ll SO as to. move the head L52 into engagement with the conical stud l and retract the-section 12?.

1 .s grippers are adapted to be moved transversely of the machine inorder to enable than; to carry sheets of various widths. They may he slid upon the rodslOS and rock shalts 10s to the desired positions Where th may be secured by the clamping screws 1411. The jaws of the grippers are sullicientlylong to be resilient and each pair of grippers is therefore adapted to grip the sheet with tension independent of the ten sion of the other grippers. The grippers 117 may be provided with teeth or pointed studs 1&6. As shown by Figs. 17, 1S and 19, the jaws of the grippers are so formed as to close upon the edge of a sheet Without bending the sheet and they are therefore adapted to close without disarranging the sheet.

The stops l i? are mounted on the side bars 79 in position to be engaged by the trucks 80 for the purpose of limiting the movement of the carriage toward the platen. By this means, the grippers may be caused to registerat any desired position with relation to the platen for the purpose of holding the sheet in the operative position. One of said stops is shown by Fig. 1 and comprises a block adapted to slide on the side bar. The block is provided with a spring pawl 148 which cooperates with a rack or ratchet 149 formed in the bar 79. The stops may be provided with gear racks 150 and a transverse shaft having pinions152 may be pro vided for moving the racks 150. By means of a hand-Wheel 153 on the shaft 151 the stops may be simultaneously adjusted to the same degree.

When the press is in the position shown by Fig. 1, one set of grippers is in position to feed the sheet to the iano. The upper set or" grippers is ready to move to the reed table to take the sheet therefrom and the third setof grippers is idle after having been opened to release a sheet. When platen is moved toward the chase, the gripper carriage moves upon the side bars toward the platen:- But before the platen the form in the chase, the trucks the stops 147 and thereby register of grippers with relation to the i. The succeeding set of grippers, meanwhile, move to the position shown by l 17. and the feed table is thenpermittcd to drop. The front edge of the sheet is tho-1' I placed in engagement with the rippers, as shown by Fig. and the A ages and sheet guides are soon after the sheet in the same releasing cam 127, The grippers at the feed table are therefore released and permitted to close to the position shown by Fig: 11-), and in so closing they preserve the edge of plane as the rest of the sheet.

lVhen the platen is moved back to its open position, the trucks 80 are moved toward the outer ends of the side bars 79 and the spiders 98 are revolved. The grippers leaving the feed table are then rotated about the central shaft so as to place the new sheet upon the platen. The grippers, previously cooperating with the platen, are retracted for the purpose of removing the sheet from the platen. The movement or" these grippers is, however, not a rotary movement but, on the other hand, is a rectilinear one and is caused by the straight portion of the cams 96 and the irregular portions of the cams 97. The sheets are, therefore, moved edgewise when being removed from the platen, instead of being rocked upon the upper edge thereof. When, non-"ever, the sheet is drawn sullieiently beyond the upper edge of the platen, the

receiving rack 26. The movements of the several sets of grippers as effected by the cams 96 and 9'! is a differential movement, not only in regard to the path of the grippers but in regard to the speed. While one set of grippers is moving rotatively from the feel table, another set or" grippers is moving in a reed-- linear path to Withdraw a. sheet edgewise from the press.

The feed table is immediately raised to its former position after a. sheet is removed therefrom. It is apparent that the movement of the gripper carriage toward the platen may be quickly determined by adjusting the stops 147. After having determined the length of travel of the carriage, it is necessary to adjust the pivots 88 to give the required travel and to provide for the excess motion by Whichthe release of the open grippers is effected. After this has been done, the adjustment ofthe feed table remains for the purpose of positioning the forward edge of the sheet with relation tothe grippers. These three adjustments may be procured Without appreciable loss of time by simply turning the cranks 75 and 93 and the hand Wheel 1538. It is apparent also that the adjustment of the various parts to may be quickly changed to handle sheets of dilferent sizes.

In practice, a platform 154: may be provided for the attendant to stand on for the purpose ofremoving the sheets, one by one, frprn the pile on the table 22 and placing th'emupon the feed table. A brake lever 155 pivoted at 156 and having a shoe 157 may. be provided for engaging a wheel 158 affixed upon the prime power shaft 29. The lever 155 may be provided with a treadle rod 159 and a treadlelGO where the attendant may depress it without leaving the platform 'lhe form of gripper shown'by 'Fig. 21 may be used when it is desired to grip the middle of a relatively wide sheet in addiagainst said adjustable stop.

tion to the other grippers shown. In this form a gripper jaw118 is affixed upon the cam arm 120 and a jaw 117 is affixed upon ablock 11?" supported by-the rod 103 and rock shaft 10-1.

having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, although without attemptingtoset forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use, I declare that what I claim is l. 'lhe combination with a press and feed table, of 'means carried by the movable press member for taking a sheet from the table and holding it in the press, a pivot, and means connecting said pivot and said sheetcarrying means for moving'the latter relatively to the movable press member for the purpose specified, said pivot being adjustable for varying the carrying movement of said carrying means.

The combination with a press and feed table, ofmieans carried by the movable press member for taking a sheet from the table and holding it. in the ,press; operating means including a stationary pivot and means connecting said pivot and said carrying means for moving the latter relatively to the movable press member for the purpose specified; said pivot being adjustable for iiirying the carryingmovement otsaid carrying means, and an adjustable stop "for limiting the movement of said carrying means toward the press to determine the operative position of the sheet in the press, said operating means having yielding provision for enabling said sheet-carrying means tov continue moving with the movable press member when the carrying means is 3. The combination with a press having a swinging press member, of grippers carried by-said member, said grippers being rotated with relation to said member and movable toward and from said member, yielding means for, reciprocating the grippers toward and from said member, and adjustmeans also serving to time the closing of each successive set of grippers at the feed table. 1 r

5. The combination with a press having a'- swinging press member, of rotatable carriers supported by said press member, grippers movably mounted in said carriers, means for rotating the carriers, and means for moving the gripper relatively to the carriers to cause the grippers toturn in a non-circular path about the axis of the carriers;

6. The combination with a reciprocatory press, and work table, of a carrier movable with the reciproeatory member of the press couple, grlppers on sa d carrier for transi'erring a sheet from the table to the press, and

means for opening the grippers to discharge a sheet and holding them open continuously thereafter until they are in position to grip a sheet on the feed table. I

7. The combination with .a rcciprocatory press, and work table, of a carrier movable with the reciprocatory member of theprcss couple, and grippers en said carrier for transferring a sheet from the table to the pressgsaid grippers having work engaging laces whose planes are in the plane of the leed table when in gripping position.

8. The combination with a press having a swinging press'member of a movable feed.

table, retractable stop gages for positioning the front edge of a sheet on the table, grip-' pers carried by said movable member for transferring a sheet from the table to the press, means "for effecting a movement of the table to place the sheet against rt-ace of the grippers, and means actuated by said table-moving means for retracting ,said gages below the table.

5). The c mibination, with a press having a feed table, of grippers for transferring a sheet from the table to the press, means for holding the grippers open, a fixed abutment, and means permanently connected to said abutment and said holding means for moving the holding means to release the grip pers.

10. The combination with a press having a I feed table of "ii )iers for transierrin a sheet from said table to the press, a carriage for said grippers, means for holding -the grippers open, a hxed abutment, and

means connec ed to said abutment for moving said car age and for moving said holding means to release the grippers.

The combination with a press and feed table. of means carried by the movable member of the press for taking a sheet from the able and holding it in the press, said means being movable toward and from said movable pr member, a fixture, yielding mea s connecting said sheet-carrying means and said lixtnre for moving'said carrying means relatively to said movable press memher in consci uence or movement of the latter, a stop for, positioning said sheet-carrying means rclati ay to the press to determine the operative position of the sheet in the said sheet-carrying means inelnding a series of sets grippers disposed so that one set cooperates with said table when another set is holding a sheet in the press, movable means for holding said grippers open, springs lor'closing the grippers, and means operative in consequence of further closing nwvement of said movable press member after said sheet-carrying means is against said stow, for moving said gripperholding means to release-the grippers which are in cooperative relation to the feed table.

12. The. comliination with a movable press member, of sheet-gripping means carried by said press member and aranged to be movable relatively to the latter, a stationary pivot, and a link connecting said pivot and said sheet-gripping means and arranged to cause sheet-carrying movement of the latter relatively (-9 said press member in consequence of movementoi said press member.

13. The combination \vitha press of a movable feed table, movable front gages and movable work guides for a sheet on the table, and means for ellecting a movement of the ta le. to place a sheet in engagement with th grippers, means actuated by said tablemi ring means for moving the gages and guides away from sheet engaging position, said means being adjustable for adjusting the table and adapted to preserve its operative relation daring change of adjustment.

is. lhe combination with a press having a reciprocatory press member, of a carriage movable with said member, and movable toward and from said member, grippers movably mounted on the carriage, and cams mm'able with said carriage for actuating the grippers. I I

15. The combination with a press having a reciprocatory press member, of SUCC8SS1V6 sets of grippers movable orth said member and mo able toward and from said member, means for effecting movement of the grippers toward and from said member, said moving means being adjustable for vary ng the movement of the grippers, means for positioning said grippers with relation to said member, and means for cooperating the pre grippers, step by step to' place them in turning saidgrippers, controlling means for holding open and releasing said grippers, yielding means for imparting bodily carrying movement to said grippers, and means for arresting movement of said grippers relatively to the press member by which they are carried, and for effecting actuation of said controlling means to release said grippers.

17. The combination with a press having a swinging press member, of a series of sets of grippers carried by said member, a feed table, said grippers being movable toward and from said press member and feed table, and otherwise movable so as to cause said sets to occupy operative position in turn with relation to the press and feed table, spring-tension means for closing said grip pers, controlling means for holding, open and releasing said grippers, means for causing bodily carrying movement of said grippers toward and from said feed table and press member, said controlling means being adapted to be caused to release said sets; of grippers in turn, and means for arresting movement in one direction of said grippers,

whereby one set of grippers is positioned with relatmn to said press member, and.

whereby said controlling means is operated to release another set of grippers.

18. The combination with a press having a swinging press member, of-grippers carried by said 'prsi member, said grippers being movable toward'andiq-om said press member, and rotatively movable, and a ranged in sets, the sets being arranged in an end ss series whereby rotation causes the sets to move successively ihto operative relationiwith the press member, means for reciprocating the grippers toward and from member, means for rotating the in operative relation; spring-tension means for closing the grippers, controlling meansfor holding open the grippers and releasing the sets in turn, said controlling means be ing adapted lobe operated by relative move ment of said reciprocating means and the grippers, and means for determinin the length of reel rocative movement 0 the grippers where y one set of grippers isyposltioned with relation to the press member, and another set of grippers is released.

19. The combination. with a press having a swinging press membeniof grippers mov able with said pressniember, and movable toward and from said press member, and

' otherwise movable in an endless path, -sogld gripper e ng di ided into" sets arranged in.

s'lendless path to cause one set of grippers totravel in the plane of said press member and at the same time to cause a succeeding set t'o move toward said plane.

'20. The combination with a press having aswinging press member, of a feed table, grippers mdvable with said press member toward and from said feed table, and movable toward and from said member, said grippers being movable about a common axis and divided into'sets arranged in an endless series whereby said sets, turning about said axis, move successively into operative relation first with said feed tableand then with said press member, and means for causing differential movement of said SetS of grippers about said axis. I

21. The combination with a press having a swinging press member, of a feed table, grippers divided into sets, said sets being arranged in an endless series, said grippers being movable about an axis whereby each set in turnmay occupy operative relation first with said feed table and then with said 'press member, the grippers being movable toward and from the press member to insert a sheet in the press and remove it, and movable with the press member to take sheets one by one from the feed table, and means for causing the several sets 3f grippers to describe differential movements about said axis, whereby the set carrying a sheet from the feed table is caused to turn about said axis, and at the same time another set is caused to remove a sheet from the press in the plane of the swinging press member.

22. The combination with a press having a reciprocating press memben and a feed table, of grippers mounted onsaid press member so as to reciprocate therewith to and from the feed table, said feed table being arranged to support a sheet in position to be gripped, and the, gripping faces of said grippers being arranged to lie in the-plane of the table u'hengr pping a sheet thereon, and means for moving the grippers to con; 7 vey the sheet from the feed table and hold it during the operation of the press.

"23. The combination with a press, of a feed table, grippers for-transferring asheet from the feed table to the press, front guides for the sheet on the table, said guides being mounted to move downwardly from sheetengaging position to a plane below the table, front gages adapted to move downwardly from sheet-engaging position to a plane below the table, said guides and gages being movable about diii'erent axes, and means for moving said guides and gages downwardly from sheet-engaging position while the grippers are in gripping position.

. gages.

24. The combination witha press, of'a ,feed :table, grippers for transferring a sheet from the table to the press, means for moving the table to place the sheet against the grippers, front gages for' the sheet, and means actuated by said table-moving means 7 :for retracting said gages from sheet-engaging position.

25. The combination with a press, of a f ed table, grippers for transferring a sheet ,75 from the table to the press, means for moving the table to place the sheet against the grippers, front gages for the sheet, front guid s, and means actuated by said table-p1 inoving means for retract ng sa d gages and so.

guide from she t-engag ng Position '26 The combination t a p ess, of a tablagripp rs for transferring a sheet,

.afrom the table-to the press, movable front i guide/sa er a sheet on the table, movable s5 iront ages for said sheet, said guides and ,1 g movable in difi'erent directions Immsh'eet-engaging, position to positions below the plane of the table, means for rec procat ng one of said sheet-engaging ele- 9o ments to and from sheet-engaging pos tion, i and means for transmitting movement from the element so reciprocatecl to the other of said sheet-engaging elements to retract said other element't-rom sheet-engaging position, 1:

'27. The combination with a press, of a movable/feed table, grippers for transferring a sheet from thetable-tothe press, an

adjustable support, actuating means engaging said support for moving-said table to 1 place a sheet in engagement with the grip pens, and operating means for said actuating nieans, said operating means and said actuating means being connected so as to pre-- serve their operative relation when said sup- .I

port is adjusted to vary the arrangement of the table.

28. The combination with a press, of a movable feed table, grippers for transferringa sheet from the table to the press, a reciprocatory actuator having a fixed path of movement, means'movable with said table for effecting movement of the table to place a sheet thereon inengagement with the grippers, and means connecting said actuator and said table-moving means for operating the latter means, said connecting means preserving operative connection when the table is moving and in various positions.

29. The combination with a press and i,

feed table, of a rotatable sup ort movable toward and from the press an toward and from the table, pivot members arranged-inf said support in an endless series about the axis thereof, a pair of eomplemental gripping 12 i members arranged on each point, means for" turning the support about its axis, means for moving the support toward and from, the feed table and toward and from the press, and means for causing differential 7 an endless series about said axis whereby they are adapted to be operated in turn, means for moving the grippers to andofrom the table, means for moving them to and from the press, and means for causing diff ferential rotative movement of the several sets of grippers about said axis.

31. The combination with a press and feed table, of grippers movable toward and from the table to take sheets therefrom, and movable to and from the press to place the sheets therein, said grippers being divided into sets, and each set comprising one or more pairs of complemental gripping members, an individual pivot member for each air of gripping members, said pivot mem- Ee -being movable about a common axis andsmovable toward and from said axis.

32. The combination with a press and fed'table; of grippers mounted on the movable member of the press, and mov le relatively to said movable member for carrying a sheet from the feed table into the press, stationary adjustable means and connections therefrom to said grippers whereby carrying movement is imparted to the grippers When the movable press member is moved,

and means for adjusting said stationary means to vary the carrying movement of the grippers.

33.'The combination with a press frame,

cooperative press members mounted thereon,

and a feed table; of grippers mounted on the movable member of the press couple, and movable relatively thereto for carrying a sheet from the feed table into the press, connections between said grippers and the press frame for imparting carrying movement to the grippers when the movable press member is moved, and means for adjusting said connections tovary the carrying movement of the grippers.

In testimony whereof I have ,aflixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

7 WILLIAM C. GLASS. Witnesses W. P. ABELL, v P. W. Pnzzn'r'rr. 

